Mazie Hirono: “reserving the right to object, I rise today in opposition to S. 251, legislation that would ban transgender women and…”

“reserving the right to object, I rise today in opposition to S. 251, legislation that would ban transgender women and girls from participating in sports consistent with their gender. My Republican colleagues falsely claim that allowing transgender women and girls to play sports is harmful to cisgender women and girls. They continue to hurl insulting lies about transgender girls dominating sports, but what is true is that these bans are deeply harmful to transgender girls, particularly transgender girls of color, girls who are gender-nonconforming or born with intersex traits, as well as cisgender girls. These sex tests invade every girl's privacy and open the door to harass anyone who is perceived as different. If my Republican colleagues were actually worried about women and girls in athletics, they would join in our efforts to address unequal athletic opportunities in school, unequal pay, sexual abuse and harassment, and more. But this isn't about supporting women and girls; this is about discrimination. Earlier today, I stood in Statuary Hall as we unveiled the portrait of the late Congresswoman Patsy T. Mink on today's 50th anniversary of title IX becoming law. Title IX, which was renamed the Patsy T.…”